The dogs are fine, but…..
I was with the wild dogs at dawn resting up early and not having hunted successfully. They probably haven’t fed in the last 2 days. Whisky still looks great with a fair sized stomach. So probably ‘cos he’s fine, the pack just aren’t hunting as hard as they normally would.
I had a great drive all the way along the Chiredzi River, not seeing much in the way of mammals, but lots of birds and just the great tranquil atmosphere being out there all on my own.
Away from the river at Chekwa pan was this young elephant bull. He decided he’d try and do the “I’m so big!” trick on me. I wasn’t impressed but he did give me the opportunity for a number of great images.
On Banyini the impala rams were going crazy. It’s that time of year when the impala rut reaches it’s peak, usually around full moon. These guys are all so pumped with testosterone they can’t contain their aggression and spend most of their days now challenging anyone with horns.
Back with the wild dogs at dusk they had themselves an adult male impala kill, probably one of those guys who spent all his energy on the rut.
Whisky and Stitch ate really well with both their stomachs bulging.
But I’m concerned about the other 3. Although they all fed on the carcass, and there was plenty to go around, their stomachs just weren’t showing much of a bulge. This has become a telling sign for the beginning stage of the rabies infection where they can’t actually eat properly because of paralysis of the tongue. But I might be over reacting on this. I sure hope so. Tomorrow should show clearer signs if there are any. Here’s holding thumbs that they’re all still well!!!
With some luck, perhaps Whiskey and Stitch will be the beginning of a new pack. If they do have pups, will you innoculate them?
I’m still hoping for the best for the other 3, too but I”ve learned not to be overly hopeful.
The news from my own pack is not much better. The one with “possible” cancer of the nose and mouth has been confirmed and we don’t know how much time she will have. She’s acting fine for now but when that changes, we will end it for her. And the other one (Raven for whom my internet name was made) was made sick by the contaminated food that has been epidemic here in the states. She developed hemolytic anemia as a result and seemed to be improving until this past week. Her tests show her slipping back in to the anemia and resulting red cell destruction. Her time, too, could be short. So, I can comiserate with you. The expected loss is hard to think about.
Paula
Apparently there’s a new vaccine on the market that you can put in their feed. So we plan that if and when they den we’ll feed this to all of them and keep doing it annually.
Sorry to hear about your dogs. Wish you all the best. Kim